Al Sailiya bounced back from being a goal down to beat Al Markhiya 3-1 in Week 21 (penultimate round) of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Al Arabi Stadium on Wednesday.

While Jose Correia scored for Al Markhiya in the eighth minute of the match, Mehrdad Mohammadi scored a brace in the 45th minute and 77th minute (penalty) and Ismail Khafi added one in 90+1 minute.

The win keeps Al Sailiya’s hopes alive of avoiding relegation. They have 16 points from 21 games and are one point behind both Umm Salal and Al Rayyan, and two points behind Al Shamal (18).

Al Markhiya remained on 24 points.

It was a fine show from Al Sailiya who found good rhythm after struggling initially.

After Al Markhiya took the lead through a fine first-time clearance deflection of Correia, who was given a quick cross by Hamood Abdulla Al Yazidi, Al Sailiya fought their way back with good combined play.

Credit goes to Mehrdad, who first produced a rasping left-footer that blazed through into the net and later scored from the spot after he was brought down inside the penalty area by an Al Markhiya player.

A delightful third goal was added by Khafi who shot from the top of the box after receiving a Carlos Strandberg assist.

Al Sailiya will now play Al Wakrah in their final round on May 9, and hope for another good finish to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.